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Mental health workers´ attitudes and beliefs about the treatment of substance use disorders. A study in the public health system in the city of Mar del Plata (Argentina)

abstract

The problem of substance use is a worldwide public health problem. To understand factors
that affect the development and result of addiction interventions, studies have focused almost
exclusively on internal aspects of treatment. Very little is known however about the importance
of psychosocial factors external to treatment, such as workers’ attitudes and beliefs. This article
studied mental health workers’ attitudes and beliefs as regards treatment of substance use
disorders and in respect of the patient. Attitudes and beliefs were analyzed based on the role,
years of experience, and importance given to the therapeutic procedures. A non-probabilistic
sample was created of n=93 mental health workers working in the public sector of addictions
in General Pueyrredón District. The results showed significant and low correlations between
attitudes toward treatment, attitudes to patients and beliefs that understand substance use disorders
as a disease. Attitudes toward patient and beliefs about substance use disorders as a disease
also correlated with the importance given to the therapeutic procedures. Finally, correlations
between attitudes, beliefs and importance given to the procedures were different depending
on job roles. This study shows the importance of extra-therapeutic psychosocial factors in the
treatment of substance use disorders, and point outs the need to develop programs encouraging
self-evaluation and recognition of workers’ attitudes and beliefs.

Keywords:

Attitudes; Beliefs; Mental Health Worker; Treatment; Addictions.

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Authors

  • Lucas D. Tosi - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT). Argentina

  • Raquel I. Peltzer - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT). Argentina

  • Jeremías D. Tosi - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT). Argentina

  • Karina Conde - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT). Argentina

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